The first band we heard sucked. No, I mean su-u-ucked. Not the way you want to start the day. Or the weekend. And certainly not the way you’d picture starting a nearly 20-year relationship with a festival, a community, a cause that would affect and steer your life in ways you could never imagine. The first iteration of Hemlockfest was a good first try, but clearly, this was not yet a polished event.
It was 2005 – we had just settled in Dahlonega, and somehow karma hooked us up with a group of free- thinking environmentalists. Go figure. These folks are still our friends almost 20 years later. They were our first introduction to what would become the Hemlockfest family. Nancy and Elvin told us about this new festival to support Hemlock trees, right here in the Dahlonega area, so Patty and I went!
The very first Hemlockfest was held at a winery just outside of Dahlonega. There were maybe a few hundred people, one big tent with a stage and about eight bands, and some T-shirts for sale. Food was iffy at best, no camping, parking was disorganized, etc., but we had fun, left with T-shirts, learned about the Hemlock situation (wow), and met some very cool people. That’s how it all started.
We missed the 2006 event (life). That second year brought Hemlockfest to Starbridge Sanctuary, a way cool place that would be home for the next 14 years. It also brought Colonel Bruce Hampton, who would be our headliner until we lost him in 2017.
In 2007, Patty and I were back. OMG, what amazing music, amazing people, a great cause, and fun! A lot had changed – all for the better. Hemlockfest had become a legitimate camping and music festival experience, but with a twist you don’t often see.
It was a coming together of music lovers, campers, families, and friends with a common thread – caring about each other, caring for the environment, and a real desire to make the world a better place.
No one was lining their pockets here – it was all for the trees (obviously it goes much deeper than that). We said, “OK, we are looking to give something back, too. I think this is it.” These were our people. We got involved, and here we are 15 years later.
Hemlockfest is now in its 17 th iteration. Over the years, we’ve seen many bands, some that went on to bigger things, such as Rising Appalachia and Saint Francis. Attendance has grown, the music has grown, and kids’ activities have become a major part of the event. We even had a monsoon year with over 20 inches of rain – but we still had a great time. And to think this is run 100% by volunteers. Seriously!
We have learned, gotten better, and OBTW, donated about $200K to saving the Hemlock trees of southern Appalachia, restoring the American Chestnut, cleaning the Etowah and Chestatee Rivers, and maintaining hiking trails. And we’ve forged friendships that will last a lifetime.
Now it continues. We still have a long way to go in the fight against the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. But Hemlockfest is back! 2022 is a rebirth with a new venue and a strong desire to gather with our people. I can’t wait to see you at the 2022 Hemlockfest at Cherokee Farms, November 4-6, 2022!
If you can’t make it, consider making a donation. 100% of the profit from Hemlockfest goes to support our mission. 100% volunteer-run means NO ONE with the Hemlockfest or the Lumpkin Coalition is paid for their involvement.
